1
2
as in chooses
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
set a date for the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in values
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding
fire losses were set at a million dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in decides
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
finally set some plans for the luncheon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in secures
to put securely in place or in a desired position
had the jeweler set the diamond again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gels
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gelatin is just starting to set now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set a book on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in freezes
to become physically firm or solid
the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in packs
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
a set of tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in types
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in decors
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production
built sets for the play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sets
Moky Makura, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But what sets them apart is preparation.
—Jaime Catmull, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Sweet Dove Died is a novel that sets clashing unexpected currents in motion to stimulate and unnerve.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
The molecules in that half acquire more energy than others, which sets the global atmosphere steadily swirling.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Cozy Fall Display Nothing sets the mood for a cozy corner quite like crisp fall weather.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
This sets you up for a better interaction.
—Vanessa Van Edwards, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
One of the most remote parts of the world where the sun never sets can now be experienced in luxury.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Everyday Flex Medium Testers raved that this lightweight hairspray sets styles in place but isn’t crunchy to the touch.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Others speculated that the song may have roots in the band’s past live sets.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2025
The sets rolling in at Mavericks that day were five times that size.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Even when not on the road, Sartori understands the importance of creating an immersive experience, often allowing guests time to walk around the sets and to see and feel the clothes postshow.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Stacey Bendet is a master of creating innovative sets for her Alice + Olivia collection, and spring 2026 was no exception.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2025
The First 70 Years contains impeccable research and analysis, accompanied by fascinating photos of the sets, film crews, and casts.
—Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
There’s also a new mode called Emerald Rush that tasks you with collecting gems as fast as possible using different sets of perks.
—PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Lego sets are a foolproof way to keep everyone entertained, and Target recently dropped so many new kits.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
Unfortunately, Africa is at a disadvantage in that the data sets that these large language models are trained on are limited and biased in the first place.
—Moky Makura, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
But what sets them apart is preparation.
—Jaime Catmull, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The Sweet Dove Died is a novel that sets clashing unexpected currents in motion to stimulate and unnerve.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
The molecules in that half acquire more energy than others, which sets the global atmosphere steadily swirling.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Cozy Fall Display Nothing sets the mood for a cozy corner quite like crisp fall weather.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
This sets you up for a better interaction.
—Vanessa Van Edwards, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
One of the most remote parts of the world where the sun never sets can now be experienced in luxury.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Everyday Flex Medium Testers raved that this lightweight hairspray sets styles in place but isn’t crunchy to the touch.
—Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Most Important Tip For Removing Coffee Stains Move fast before the stain dries and sets into the fabric, says laundry expert Rick Rome.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Others speculated that the song may have roots in the band’s past live sets.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2025
The sets rolling in at Mavericks that day were five times that size.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
Even when not on the road, Sartori understands the importance of creating an immersive experience, often allowing guests time to walk around the sets and to see and feel the clothes postshow.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
Stacey Bendet is a master of creating innovative sets for her Alice + Olivia collection, and spring 2026 was no exception.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2025
The First 70 Years contains impeccable research and analysis, accompanied by fascinating photos of the sets, film crews, and casts.
—Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
There’s also a new mode called Emerald Rush that tasks you with collecting gems as fast as possible using different sets of perks.
—PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
Lego sets are a foolproof way to keep everyone entertained, and Target recently dropped so many new kits.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
-
Each individual character spawns their own stan following, fancam edits, out-of-context YouTube compilations, and more.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Army recruitment crisis spawns 'future soldier' course In 2022, as years of shortfall in recruiting numbers compounded into a crisis, the Army test-launched the Future Soldier prep course, a boot camp-style program to quickly pull up recruits who don't meet academic or physical standards.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, the suspension of the de minimis rule now means that lower value shipments will now be subject to an additional 10% to 50% levy that coincides with the tariff rate of the country of origin, or a flat rate of $80 to $200, depending on which option the seller chooses.—
Rhett Buttle,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Whichever variation of back four Guardiola chooses, none of them look like keeping a clean sheet at the moment.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The round, which was led by Prysm Capital, values the company at $3 billion, nearly triple since its last raise in 2023.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Nikolas Kokovlis | Nurphoto | Getty Images Online lender Klarna priced its IPO at $40 per share on Tuesday, above its expected range, in a deal that values the Swedish company at about $15 billion.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The company’s market cap sits at about $63 billion.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Identity sits at the heart of digital trust.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Streaming Thursdays on Disney+ and Hulu, the podcast is produced by BBC Studios and aims to deepen fan engagement throughout Season 34.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Kamo‘oalewa is one of the destinations of China’s Tianwen-2 mission launched in May, which aims to collect and return samples from the space rock in 2027.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The cat decides its favorite spot to sleep is also a great place to stretch and scratch.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Perhaps America won’t be healthy again until Kennedy simply decides to declare victory, regardless of what the next three years bring.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
More crucially, EchoStar secures access to Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell service, a step that could significantly boost its Boost Mobile operations and firmly connect its fortunes to one of the most transformative players in the satellite communications sector.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The play takes their boy’s name as its title — Hamnet and Hamlet being virtually synonymous — and secures Shakespeare‘s legacy.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Spracklin's call puts him in the majority among analysts covering the stock.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
18 Sep. 2025
-
What really puts City Limits at the front of the pack, though, are the Saturday spareribs, which are cooked directly over a bed of hardwood coals and seasoned with nothing but salt.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share